A new model to combat malaria in the country has been developed through a pilot early warning system that is now ready to be tested.
This project (MalaClim pilot project) brings together the Solomon Islands meteorological services and the Vector-Borne Diseases Control Programme that have now come up with a malaria risk outlook.
This latest partnership drives to ensure the system will be able to provide malaria control agencies and communities with advance information on what they will expect during high risk periods of malaria throughout the country.
“The aim of this project is to come up with an early warning system on our climate to help in combating malaria in the country. We believe through this partnership, we could be able to reduce the incidences of malaria in the country,” deputy director of MET Lloyd Tahani said.
Tahani said there many partners at play in this project which includes the different ministries like the ministry of health, environment, energy and mines, lands and UN agencies, Climate and oceans Support Program in the pacific and Australian government through its Bureau of Meteorology.
He said the project has started way back in 2004 and now they have reached another stage which they hope to implement the model from now until half of 2015 and see whether it works or not.
Mr Tahani added that this project is important for the country and they hope to achieve positive results from the model since much research has been done over the years.
Adding this new model of early warning system will enable the provision of information to communities about high risk malaria periods to prevent high incidences in the country.
Research over the years has shown that rainfall plays an important role in creating suitable conditions that supports the spread of malaria.
“It is therefore that by having early warning systems in place, it will enable communities and authorities to prepare for these seasons to prevent and prepare against malaria high risk seasons,” Tahani added.
Permanent secretary of environment Dr Melchior Mataki is urging all partners to critic and contribute their wisdoms into how this model can be improved and provide the best possible outcome to help citizens of this country in the fight against Malaria through this partnership.
BY DANIEL NAMOSUAIA